This paper focuses on viral decontamination by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation technologies. This work develops an efficient and rapid computational method to simulate a UV pulse in order to ascertain the decontamination efficacy of UV irradiation for a surface. It is based on decomposition of a pulse into a group of rays, which are then tracked as they progress towards the target contact surface. The algorithm computes the absorption at the point of contact and color codes it relative to the incoming irradiation. This allows one to quickly quantify the decontamination efficacy across the topology of a structure.International trade conflicts continue to simmer in times of the coronavirus crisis. Most recently, in mid-May, the US government tightened export restrictions for suppliers to the Chinese technology company Huawei. Against the background of the dramatic slump in consumer demand for automobiles, US President Donald Trump might revive his protectionist idea of tariffs on cars and car parts from the EU, escalating the transatlantic trade conflict. Economic policy simulations show that such an escalation has the potential to dampen the economic recovery in Germany after the pandemic shock. Fiscal rules limit the ability to counterbalance the macroeconomic impact of a trade war, putting Germany potentially at a relative disadvantage in this conflict.The coronavirus pandemic and the associated containment measures are likely to have serious effects on housing. In the short term, the German Federal Government has reacted with temporary exemptions for subject-oriented instruments as well as for rental and lending regulations. However, it has become apparent that further temporary regulations are needed within the scope of social security of housing. In the course of the recession, pronounced price declines on the housing markets are to be expected due to the great relevance of demandside developments. However, longterm labour migration will potentially revise the price declines. Housing policymakers would therefore be advised to stabilise housing construction activities or to orient them countercyclically in order to be able to cover longterm housing needs that will emerge by resurgent immigration.Public measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic have led to a severe economic crisis. In order to cope with this crisis, many expect strong state intervention. Governments across the world have pledged billions of euros for extensive recovery programs. But how 'green' should these recovery programs be? This article evaluates Germany's initial policy proposals and decisions.In contrast to the economic and financial crisis of 2009, the labour market has been hit harder during the coronavirus crisis in 2020. New hires have declined substantially, which may lead to persistent unemployment and a "generation COVID-19" of graduates. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/AZD0530.html Employment subsidies would be a suitable measure to stabilise the economy and the labour market and to reduce these risks at an early stage.The general government budgetary position of Germany at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis is advantageous due to extremely favourable conditions of the 2010s. Since 2012, surpluses prevailed, and in 2019 the public debt ratio decreased below 60%. The coronavirus crisis ends this success story dramatically and causes a historically high deficit as well as a rise in the debt ratio to about 77.5% in 2020. This requires consolidating the budget, mainly because age related spending will rise significantly and because an interest rate reversal may involve additional interest payments in the future. To ensure long term debt sustainability, restricting primary expenditures is imperative.With the Corona crisis, unemployment is increasing in Germany despite all the countermeasures taken. In previous recessions, unemployment of the low-skilled in particular has become entrenched. Today, it is becoming apparent that technological change is also affecting medium-skilled workers in particular. In order to avoid consolidation, it is important to promote new hires, support qualification and enable vocational reorientation.The historically unprecedented slump in overall economic output due to the coronavirus crisis creates an urgency for economic policy responses. Demandside measures must be timely, targeted, and temporary. Addressing policy objectives beyond the economic recovery should not be the focus right now. A package of measures ranging from tax cuts to direct payments is appropriate.The coronavirus has plunged the global economy into crisis. Since the beginning of March, contact and exit restrictions and bans on business activities have been imposed in Germany, schools have been closed, child care has been suspended, and strict hygiene regulations have been issued. In the meantime, the number of reported new infections has been significantly reduced and the German healthcare system does not appear to be overburdened to date. This is one of the reasons why there is now an intensive debate about easing the regulations, which would allow additional economic activity. The article also examines commuter links and the role they have played in the spread of COVID-19 in Germany as well as bad weather conditions and a high population density.We draw on data from the Online Labour Index and interviews with freelancers in the United States securing work on online platforms, to illuminate effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic's global economic upheaval is shuttering shops and offices. Those able to do so are now working remotely from their homes. They join workers who have always been working remotely freelancers who earn some or all of their income from projects secured via online labour platforms. Data allow us to sketch a first picture of how the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the livelihoods of online freelancers. The data shows online labour demand falling rapidly in early March 2020, but with an equally rapid recovery. We also find significant differences between countries and occupations. Data from interviews make clear jobs are increasingly scarce even as more people are creating profiles and seeking freelance work online.